News reports have been flooding us with articles warning
that this flu season may be the worst in years. Even though
it is difficult to separate the facts from the hype, a
close evaluation of the flu vaccine raises serious
questions about the recommendations routinely touted.
Namely, that vaccines are highly effective and pose little
risk. Anyone considering a flu shot should become informed
about the substances coming through that needle, and should
be determined to investigate the safety and efficacy issues
that are still unresolved.

by Dr. Sherri Tenpenny

The vaccine virus

Each year, a new vaccine is developed that contains three
different viruses (one influenza B and two influenza A
strains). CDC officials select the new viruses based on
which viruses were prevalent during the flu season in China
and Australia the previous year. The CDC admits that the
viruses selected for the new vaccine are chosen on the
basis of an "educated guess."

What's in a flu shot?

The influenza virus is grown in "specific
pathogen-free" (SPF) chicken eggs. Eggs are tested for
a variety of agents -- usually between 23 and 31 -- to
confirm the absence of those specific pathogens.
Laboratories limit the number of agents that are screened
due to the shear abundance of potential viruses and/or
bacteria to choose from. In addition, screening for every
potential agent would be cost prohibitive. If none of the
tested agents are detected, the vaccine is reported as
"pathogen free."

However, it should be understood that there is a distinct
difference between "pathogen free" and
"specific pathogen-free." In its July, 1996
report, the Institute of Medicine acknowledged that
"although it is not possible to produce a completely
uncontaminated animal, it is possible to produce an animal
[or egg] certified to be free of specific pathogens."

Viruses that are harmless to their animal host, however,
may be potentially harmful to humans.

During the manufacturing process, antibiotics (neomycin,
polymyxin B and gentamicin) are added to eliminate stray
bacteria found in the mixture. The final solution can
contain the following additives in any combination: Triton
X-100 (a detergent); polysorbate 80 (a potential
carcinogen); gelatin; formaldehyde; and residual egg
proteins.

In addition, many of the influenza vaccines still contain
thimerosal as a preservative. Thimerosal (mercury) is being
investigated for its link to brain injury and autoimmune
disease.

Does the flu shot protect?

There are no guarantees that the influenza viruses selected
for the vaccine will be the identical strains circulating
during a given flu season. In fact, it has recently been
announced that this year's flu vaccine does not include the
strain that is being reported by doctors in the community
called the "A Fujian" strain.

Outbreaks have been reported in Texas, Colorado and
elsewhere that involve strains that do not match the
current flu vaccine. CDC tests have confirmed that more
than 80 per cent of the 55 strains of influenza virus
isolated thus far are the A Fujian strain. Even so, the CDC
still maintains that the current vaccine could provide
cross-protection against the new variant, but the fact is,
no one knows for sure. [Note: In 1999, the CDC explained
that, for a flu vaccine to be effective, it must contain a
specific antigen for a specific flu strain].

Moreover, the majority of illnesses characterized by fever,
fatigue, cough and aching muscles are not caused by the
influenza virus. Non-influenza viruses (e.g., rhinoviruses
such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenoviruses,
and parainfluenza viruses) can cause symptoms referred to
influenza-like illnesses (ILI). Certain bacteria, such as
Legionella spp., Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma
pneumoniae, and streptococcus pneumoniae, have been
documented as the causes of ILI.

Notably, these microbes are not part of the flu vaccine.
Unless an organism's antigen is contained within the
vaccine, there is no protection conferred by the vaccine.
It is estimated that most adults will average 1-3 episodes
of ILI, and most children will average 3-6 episodes. The
CDC also admits that "many persons who have been
vaccinated against influenza can still get the flu."
[Note: Recent reports admit that people who have received a
flu vaccine are dying from the flu].

Targeting the elderly

The flu vaccine is generally recommended for persons aged
65 and older, and those with medical conditions who could
experience serious complications from the flu. Medical
journals report broad differences in effectiveness for the
elderly, ranging from 0 to 85 percent.

The CDC states that 90 percent of deaths from influenza
occur among the elderly. Considering that nearly 65 percent
of all deaths (from any cause) occur in this age group, it
is nearly impossible to prove that flu shots significantly
increase life expectancy in this group. The truth is that
most people -- young and old -- will weather a bout of the
flu without hospitalization or complications.

A serious concern: Alzheimer's Disease

Hugh Fudenberg, MD, an immunogeneticist and biologist with
nearly 850 papers published in peer reviewed journals, has
reported that if an individual had five consecutive flu
shots between 1970 and 1980 (the years studied), his/her
chances of getting Alzheimer's Disease is 10 times higher
than if they had zero, one, or two shots.

Dr. Boyd Haley, Professor and Chair of the Department of
Chemistry at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, has
done extensive research in the area of mercury toxicity and
the brain. Haley's research has established a likely
connection between mercury toxicity and Alzheimer's
disease. In a paper published in collaboration with
researchers at University of Calgary, Haley stated that
"seven of the characteristic markers that we look for
to distinguish Alzheimer's disease can be produced in
normal brain tissues, or cultures of neurons, by the
addition of extremely low levels of mercury."

Does this prove that the mercury contained in the influenza
shot can be directly linked to Alzheimer's? No, absolutely
not. But further research in this area is critically needed
because the absence of proof is not the "proof of
absence."

Flu vaccine now for children

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
adopted a resolution effective March 1, 2003, that expanded
the use of the influenza vaccine to include children aged
6-23 months. The recommendations also included vaccinating
those aged 2 to 18 years who live in households containing
children younger than 2 years of age.

The flu vaccine most commonly given to children is Fluzone,
a trivalent vaccine grown in chicken eggs. Harvested with
formaldehyde and containing the recommended ratio of 15 ug
of each of the three prototype viral strains, each dose of
Fluzone also contains 25 ug of mercury.

The new CDC recommendations include giving the influenza
vaccine to children beginning at six months of age and then
annually, for the rest of their lives. Children less than
age nine receiving their first flu shot, two doses of
vaccine are recommended, with a minimum interval of one
month between the two doses. However, the CDC does not
provide a direct reference to substantiate this
recommendation. [Note: In other words, no studies were
cited to support the conclusion that flu vaccines are safe
for children under the age of two or that it is safe for
children less than two years of age to come in contact with
vaccinated persons].

Alternatives?

If you choose not to receive the flu shot, have a
discussion with your doctor regarding other options.

A common way people contract viral illnesses is by rubbing
their nose or their eyes after their hands have been
contaminated with a virus. The CDC states, "the most
important thing you can do to keep from getting sick is to
wash your hands."

We are so used to taking medications -- for prevention and
treatment -- that it is difficult to comprehend that these
modest recommendations are really the most powerful ways to
minimize the likelihood of getting the flu.

Making the decision

You may decide to consult a physician who is schooled in
alternative medicine to assess a variety of options for you
and your family. What is most important, in the end, is to
become as informed as possible regarding your options for
keeping healthy and avoiding the flu.

Dr. Tenpenny is an osteopath who spent 12 years as an
emergency room physician and has operated her own thriving
alternative care practice in Strongsville, Ohio for seven
years. Dr. Tenpenny has seen excellent results in a variety
therapies she is currently using in her practice, including
the reversal of vaccine-induced injuries in children. For
more information about Dr. Tenpenny's marvelous work, visit
her website at www.nmaseminars.com